Russians deploying in Libya

Libya has offered Russia a naval base in the Mediterranean as the two countries moved to rebuild defence and economic ties.

Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi reportedly made the offer to Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev during their talks in the Kremlin on Saturday.

Mr. Qadhafi is paying his first visit to Russia since 1985.

Mr. Medvedev described relations with Libya as “comradely” and voiced confidence Mr. Qadhafi’s visit would “give a new impetus” to bilateral ties.

“Russia is returning to strategically important regions of the world,” said First Deputy-Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Defence, Yuri Savenko, while commenting on the Russian-Libyan parleys.

Libya sees a Russian naval base in the port of Benghazi as a guarantee of non-aggression from the U.S, said Russian business daily Kommersant.

Russian warships docked in Libya this month before heading for Venezuela to take part in joint naval exercises.

“Russia is interested in getting access to naval bases in the Mediterranean as this would expand the operational reach of our Navy,” said Admiral Ivan Kapitanets, former deputy Navy commander of the former Soviet Union and Russia.

Russia also plans to build a naval base at the Syrian port Tartus in the eastern Mediterranean.
Reports said Libya plans to buy $2-billion worth of Russian air defence systems, fighter jets, tanks and combat helicopters, as well as to upgrade its Soviet-built weapons, which account for 90 per cent of its arsenals.

Russia is doing business with Libya and Syria. One would argue that these countries are not that friendly to the West.